Author: Lauren Layne (Page 9 of 11)

BOOK REVIEW – After the Kiss (Sex, Love & Stiletto #1) by Lauren Layne

BOOK REVIEW – After the Kiss (Sex, Love & Stiletto #1) by Lauren LayneAfter the Kiss (Sex Love & Stiletto #1)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and “I do”—she’ll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie’s “research.” But what Julie doesn’t know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he’s looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he’s exactly what she wants.

Review:

I was extremely giddy while reading this book.  It is going on my favorite’s list, and not just because it made me squeal out loud multiple times.  I loved the characters she created, the passion you felt from them, the angst between them, I loved every single page of this book!  I was completely lost in those pages.  At some point, I felt as though my heart was on the line, right along with Julies.  Tears became unavoidable, and keeping my fingers crossed while hoping for the best was my only choice.  After the Kiss was a beautiful love story that I fell deeply in love with.

“Do you have plans tonight?” he asked.
Tell him you’re busy. It’s too soon to be seeing each other every night of the week. Tell him—
“Nope, no plans.” Idiot.

Julie is on a mission to finding out what happens after that first kiss and first few dates.  She’s never cared before, but now she’s left with no choice.  If she doesn’t write an article, at the high profile magazine she works at, about how to advance a relationship to the next step, then her arch nemesis’ article will be printed instead.  But Julie has only written what she knows.  So she needs help finding a man who will take her to that next step, who she won’t get attached to and can dump at the end of it all.  Her friend finds her mark.  A boring suit who works in Wall Street.  But that suit, Mitchel, has other plans.  He’s just made a bet with his friend that he can date, woo, and not fall in love or have a long term relationship with the next woman he goes on a few dates with.  See, he just got out of another long term relationship.  If he wins, then he gets amazing seats to Yankee games, but if he loses then he switches offices with his buddy.  Mitchell’s friend sets the mark on Julie.  What unfolds is constant entertainment.

It was happening.
After six years with a flawless record, the queen of dating had just done the unthinkable.
She’d failed to land the second date.

Julie is used to being at the top of her game and having control of her dating life.  But when Mitchell enters her life, she keeps get shaken around and left a little confused.  Mitchell clearly isn’t what she expected, and it was fun to watch Julie slip into the unknown.  But there’s so much more to Julie then what meets the eye.  She has so many layers buried underneath her.  She is pain, she is closed off, yet she is successful and exceedingly skilled in the dating world.  Ha, until Mitchell that is.  I loved Julie and felt a connection to her, as though she was a close friend.  A close friend that I desperately wanted a happily ever after for.

Julie took a deep breath and looked at him again. Maybe she was underestimating him. Julie braced herself and waited for it. The zing, the sizzle. And she felt … absolutely nothing. He was like dry toast.

Mitchell, how deceiving you were.  While at first glance he screamed boring and practical, his personality was shockingly wild.  Mitchell was control, sexy and a heart of gold…….for the most part.  We all have our flaws, so of course Mitchell is going to also.  But regardless of his mistakes, it’s impossible not to swoon!  I love that he called out Julie when she tried to play games with him.  I love when he pushed Julie out of her comfort zone.  Oh, and I love that he was downright seductive when he told Julie what to do.  Be prepared for Mitchell to win your heart and leave you hot, flustered and fanning your face!

Her hands slid up behind his neck, her nails scraping lightly at his skin as though wanting to mark him.  She wanted to leave a mark on him.  Mark him the way he seemed to be marking her very soul.  Mitchell growled before his mouth slammed down on hers.

After the Kiss was lovely, funny and gut wrenching.  Probably one of my favorite things about Lauren Layne books, besides the characters, emotions and storyline, is that she has this amazing ability to make her books hot yet classy.  It makes me love her books that much more!  This is a fantastic book that I can’t recommend highly enough!

P.S. One of my favorite quotes which is spoilerish…. View Spoiler »

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles)
***Each book can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed in order.***
after the kiss lauren layne
After the Kiss
Reviews:
Jen

Chelsea
love the one you're with lauren layne
Love the One You're With
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea
just one night lauren layne
Just One Night
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea
the trouble with love lauren layne
The Trouble with Love
Reviews:

Jen

Chelsea

BOOK REVIEW: The Trouble with Love (Sex, Love & Stiletto #4) by Lauren Layne

BOOK REVIEW: The Trouble with Love (Sex, Love & Stiletto #4) by Lauren LayneThe Trouble with Love (Sex Love & Stiletto #4)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

As Lauren Layne’s salacious Sex, Love & Stiletto series returns, a jaded columnist discovers a steamy way to get over an old flame: falling for him all over again.

As Stiletto magazine’s authority on all things breakup-and-heartache, Emma Sinclair writes from personal experience. Five years ago, Emma was Charlotte, North Carolina’s darling debutante and a blushing bride-to-be. Now she’s the ice queen of the Manhattan dating scene. Emma left her sultry Southern drawl behind, but not even her closest friends know that with it she left her heart. Now Emma’s latest article forces her to face her demons—namely, the devilishly sexy guy who ditched her at the altar.

After giving up everything for a pro-soccer career, Alex Cassidy watches his dreams crumble as a knee injury sidelines him for good. Now he’s hanging up his cleats and giving journalism a shot. It’s just a coincidence that he happens to pick a job in the same field, and the same city, as his former fiancée . . . right? But when Emma moves in next door, it’s no accident. It’s research. And Alex can’t help wondering what might have been. Unlike the innocent girl he remembers, this Emma is chic, sophisticated, and assertive—and she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. The trouble is, Alex has never wanted her more.

Praise for the Sex, Love & Stiletto series
 
“Fun, sexy, and sharp as a spike heel.”New York Times bestselling author Ruthie Knox

“Packed with loads of sizzle and Snickerlicious fun, Lauren Layne’s After the Kiss is a knock-your-stilettos-off, total page-turning treat that had me fan-girling up within the first chapter.”USA Today bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly
 
“Spunky, flirty, and full of sass, Love the One You’re With is everything a romance should be! Lauren Layne has a winner.”New York Timesbestselling author Christie Craig
 
“Sexy, sassy, and surprisingly sweet, Lauren Layne’s Just One Night is a total page-turner!”New York Times bestselling author Donna Alward

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Buddy read with my Frenchy Bug! 

**ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**


You used to love when I put my hand here.” Cassidy’s voice was rough.
She lifted her chin slightly. “Did I? Must have blocked that out.” But the way the heat from his palm branded her made the lie come out just a little bit breathlessly.
His hand pressed, pulling her closer until there was nothing between them but their stormy past. “You sure about that?”
“Yup,” she said, her eyes looking anywhere but his. “You’re utterly forgettable.”
His other hand found her chin, his fingers lifting her face to his. “Prove it.”

AGH! Wow. I loved this. It was, in a few words, addicting, sexy, breathtaking, heart-stopping, giggle-inducing, unputdownable, and, most of all, heartwarming. It literally warmed my soul. Yes, light radiated from my chest the whole time I was reading this. True Story. There are few (*cough* none) LL books I dislike, but because I love this author so much, it tends to make it hard when people ask which I would recommend to them. How do you pick a favorite when they all exceed your expectations? There are some that tend to stick out, but the more I read from her, the more I start to say: ‘No, this is my favorite. No, this is my new favorite. No, no, this one!’ And so on and so forth. But, for whatever reason, this one really and truly did speak to me.

Emma had tried the happily-ever-after route, and knew that for every woman who rode off into the sunset on a white stallion, another one got kicked in the face by that very same horse.

I got this back in early December and, for whatever reason, didn’t think I’d love it. Go figure. I don’t know if it’s my aversion to second chance love stories or just a case of being nervous because I have such high standards with this author, but no matter the reasons, I was very scared to pick this one up. But sometimes it’s all about the timing. I was sitting around on Saturday, trying with all my might to get into the book I had picked out, and I just couldn’t do it. I was sad, for some reason, and I just couldn’t get out of that funky mood. So, I sat there for a couple seconds and thought, you know what? Screw it. It’s Lauren Layne time. I picked this up and I immediately started to feel my lips turn up and my spirits inexplicably lift. No other author has the ability to effect my mood like this, but this woman has my ticket. I don’t know if it’s the dialogue, the quirky inner thoughts and banter, or that ultimate HEA she loves to give us, but this is my go to author. She is
‘the one’
, so to speak.

Cole leaned forward and reached out a hand. “Lemme see the orgasm bit.”
Alex ignored him, pulling a sheet of paper from the top and shaking it. “This one is two thousand words about push-up bras. About the brands, and the way they should fit, and listen to this: ‘The trick with the appeal of push-up bras is to know what kind of guy you’re dealing with. Is he visual? If so, he’s not going to mind that you had a little help to achieve that fantastic cleavage. But if he’s more tactile, you might want to consider skipping all that padding…He wants to feel the real you.'”
Alex let the paper flutter to the desk in horror. “I just…I can’t even.”
Continue reading

BOOK REVIEW: Crushed (Redemption #2) by Lauren Layne

BOOK REVIEW: Crushed (Redemption #2) by Lauren LayneCrushed (Redemption #2)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Lauren Layne’s latest novel about the healing power of redemption tells the story of a crush gone wickedly wrong, proving that what you want isn’t always what you need.

Growing up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State, Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin is dating Michael’s new half brother, Devon.

Kristin’s mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man, only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight for—she wants the one who stood by her side.

After all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?

Review:

Crushed warmed me from my head to my toes.  It was hilarious, endearing, and heartbreaking all at the same time.  Just when my eyes dried from laughing, they would be tearing up again for the struggles Michael and Chloe went through.  They both wanted to find what they were desperately searching for, to be loved, yet it was always out of reach time and time again.  But while they are searching, be prepared to have a huge smile on your face.  This unlikely friendship brings out the best and worst in each other, it’s definitely not something you want to miss!

Ignorance truly is bliss.
And when ignorance is over?
All hell breaks loose. – Michael

Michael is struggling with learning the truth.  After suffering rejection from Olivia, whom he had secretly been in love with forever, he overheard that the man who raised him isn’t even his father.  To escape everything and find his real father, he journeys down to Texas.  There he discovers that two sisters are intertwined in his half brother Devon’s life.  While the gorgeous, thin Kristen is dating Devon, he notices that Chloe, the younger curvy, out of shape one, is in love with him too.  Upon noticing that little jewel of information, he agrees to help train Chloe at the gym and eventually help her try and break up Devon and Kristen.  Little does she know the reasoning behind any of it.  But while getting closer to Michael, will she still want Devon or will she fall for Michael instead?

It annoys me that I’m not immune to his calculated man-whore routine.
But what bugs me even more is that he knows. He knows what I’ve never told anyone.
That I don’t feel in control of my own life. – Chloe

Chloe is infectious.  She is quirky, cheerful and insightful while sometimes clueless.  She was easy to relate to and it’s impossible not to laugh at so many of the things she does and says.  The things that come out of her mouth?  Oh my, you are in for a treat.  But my favorite thing about her?  How she could annoy and get under Michael’s skin.  She is definitely talented in that department!  But she is an amazing friend to him.  Even when he doesn’t want one.

I have the strangest feeling that Chloe Bellamy knows that when I say it’s hard, I’m not talking about the squats.
I’m talking about life.
My life. – Michael

Michael is jaded and for good reason.  So lucky us, we get a sexy, bad boy who is in desperate need of being fixed and has a dark sense of humor.  Where do I sign up?  But his facade would splinter from time to time because of Chloe.  No matter how hard he tried too maintain it, her presence and words would allow a smile to escape at times.  That smile would never stay on for long, and it hurt to see how little he valued himself.  How much he hurt.  How he didn’t believe that he didn’t deserve be hurting.

I comply, and then mutter a string of curses because Chloe Bellamy has just reached out in the middle of a busy gym and patted my ass.
“Very nice,” she says, sounding surprised.
“Chloe!”
She shrugs. “You just got so upset when I was ogling that other guy instead of you, so I wanted to make you feel good.

Chloe and Michael together ensured for constant entertainment.  And the icing on the cake is getting to be in both of their heads.  I love being able to understand and get where they are both coming from!  Oh wow, I just wanted to walk into those pages and be Chloe’s friend while also staring dreamily at Michael.  After two books, I think it’s safe to say that I have found an author whose writing I truly love!

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)
***Each book can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed in order.***
isn't she lovely lauren layne
Isn't She Lovely
Reviews:

Jen

Chelsea
broken lauren layne
Broken
Reviews:
Chelsea
crushed lauren layne
Crushed
Reviews:
Jen
Chelsea
Anna

BOOK REVIEW – Isn’t She Lovely (Redemption #0.5) by Lauren Layne

BOOK REVIEW – Isn’t She Lovely (Redemption #0.5) by Lauren LayneIsn't She Lovely (Redemption #0.5)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she’s pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn’t exactly Ethan Price’s type, either. He’s probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund . . . or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie’s a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan’s brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan’s privileged world, the “acting” begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating them. And Stephanie faces a question she’s too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

Review:

I laughed, I cried, I fell head over heels in love with Isn’t She Lovely.  It was the perfect blend of everything that makes a book fabulous.  It was sweet but sexy and hilarious yet serious.  And the banter between Stephanie and Ethan was spectacular!  I’m still in shock over how much I loved this book!

After an embarrassing run in, Stephanie and Ethan get stuck as partners in a summer college film class where they have to write a script together.  Stephanie is a closed-off goth girl who recently just lost out on where she was supposed to live.  Ethan is a rich, preppy frat boy who is in desperate need of a fake girlfriend for upcoming family events.  In an attempt to not only have material for their school project, Ethan proposes that Stephanie pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for getting a free place to live in his two bedroom apartment.  Sounds innocent enough right?  Wrong!  Because in the middle of kissing and acting like you love someone, what happens when you start to feel more than you should?  When you don’t want it to all be an act anymore?  Where do you go from there?  Be prepared for an amazing story!

I’m thinking that Ethan Price is putting on a damned good show in an effort to cheer me up. In an effort to make me forget.
But mostly I try not to think about what I’m feeling.
Because what I’m feeling has nothing to do with our charade.
What I’m feeling seems real. – Stephanie

Stephanie is a multi-layered girl that you can’t help but love and sympathize with.  She is quick witted and hilariously sarcastic!  She made me laugh time and time again and quite a few of those laughs were so hard that I had tears pouring down my face and couldn’t breathe!  But at the same time when she was experiencing self doubt, I felt her pain and just wanted to reach through those pages and hug her.  Not like she would let me though haha.  Her past and family will tear you apart but at the same time her ability to hold her own and tackle uncomfortable situations will make you so proud of Stephanie.  She was a phenomenal character that constantly pulled at my emotions.

She doesn’t finish the sentence, so I turn to glance at her, and … ah, hell, she looks vulnerable. Those wide blue eyes are silently begging me to reassure her that yes, she can pull this off, and yes, she’ll be okay without her black-eyeliner defense against the world.
“You look beautiful,” I say softly. – Ethan

Ethan was a beautifully flawed person.  Not only was he gorgeous, but his intentions were breathtaking.  He made me weak in the knees how he would tease and banter Stephanie one moment and then the next he would be holding her cheeks in his hands.  His past will drag you in, and the sadness of it all is so unfair.  It’s hard not to get twisted in everything that is Ethan.  He was sweet, stubborn, hilarious and guarded.  And when you pair Ethan with Stephanie together, be prepared to be hypnotized and for fireworks to explode right before your eyes!

I want to get back to the easy companionship we had before the trip. Before that kiss. Because now I don’t just have to play pretend when other people are around. I also have to put on a show when we’re alone. And in some ways, the act when it’s just the two of us is that much harder. Who knew that pretending you’re not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending you are.

Isn’t She Lovely is like eating you’re favorite ice cream (or cheesecake for me) while curled up in front of a fire with your favorite throw.  I still have a smile on my face and my heart is so happy from all of those sweet, beautiful and heartbreaking scenes.  You don’t want to miss this one!  Now don’t mind me while I go devour the rest of Laruen Layne’s books!

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)
***Each book can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed in order.***
isn't she lovely lauren layne
Isn't She Lovely
Reviews:

Jen

Chelsea
broken lauren layne
Broken
Reviews:
Chelsea
crushed lauren layne
Crushed
Reviews:
Jen
Chelsea
Anna

BOOK REVIEW – Crushed (Redemption #2) by lauren Layne

BOOK REVIEW – Crushed (Redemption #2) by lauren LayneCrushed (Redemption #2)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Growing up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State, Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin is dating Michael’s new half brother, Devon.

Kristin’s mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man, only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight for—she wants the one who stood by her side.

After all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?

♥ BR with my wonderful Star-Crossed ladies, Chelsea and Jen ♥

Don’t you hate when you’re completely unable to gather your thoughts about a book? That’s so annoying. Right?! Because I’m a scientific girl I’m really not. At all. I decided to complete a quizz to help me decide.

Who knows? Perhaps it will help you too. One can hope.

Cross the odd one out!Romance facts, anyone?
Typical NA package with instalove, instalust, virgin and pure but beautiful perfect heroin Nope!
Not free of stereotypes : hello, player, nice to meet you! Need a savior? Why, thank you, mean perfect sister, need a slap? Love triangle, anyone?
✔ Gradual and believable love-story

Rate the characters! Or try to, anyways.

Match the sentences!Plot facts

Continue reading

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑